switching brand and need advice on a carto punch?

[vjdossey]

First: I have been vaping since Aug 2013! Like most of us, I have spent a good amount of money figuring out what I like as well as gathering things just cuz they look cool... In the first two or three months I bought sooooo much stuff, mostly every clearomizer out there! Most of which are sitting in a box waiting to PIF. When I come across a new vaper in need I send them a few things. I made the switch to cartomizers/carto tanks in November of 2013 and have been using those exclusively til now! I tried a few, found I preferred single coil, boge slotted the best. Mostly because I was able to prime them easily and they seemed to stay wet and I never had issues burning them. I figured it was because they are slotted. Recently I have been in a pinch financially so I dug out all the stuff I had collected early on. Luckily I had a couple smok cartos in that stash, so I tried em... I am so glad this happened... I really like the draw and the flavor much more with the smok cartos in comparison to my beloved slotted boges... I have not had one single wicking issue and I really am surprised at the difference in flavor. It is much cleaner and seems to produce great vapor as well... so, from now on... I will be getting the smok cartos instead...

I have a bazillion NOT punched smok cartos in a drawer and I would love to get some use out of them. However, I do not have a punch- I prefer to get one that works well! I do not want to do what I usually do and buy cheap first and end up spending WAY more in the long run because I was trying to save money. I would really appreciate some advice- what is the best carto punch? One that will not buckle my cartos and make them useless? Is there a way to punch them at home that doesn't require purchasing a punch? Thanks in advance for the help!!! HAVE A SUPER DAY!

 

[Burnie]

I bought one of these and really love it. Does not crush the carto.
Bullet Cartomizer Punch - Avid Vaper

Vape On
Burnie

 

[vjdossey]

Thanks Burnie, so excited... it is inexpensive too... Gonna give it a whirl!!!

I bought one of these and really love it. Does not crush the carto.
Bullet Cartomizer Punch - Avid Vaper

Vape On
Burnie

 

[freeatlast!]

I use that too; works well!

 

[PONKAW]

Dremel and a cutting wheel.
Made a wooden jig to slot the cartos. Takes about 15 seconds for each one.

 

[vjdossey]

I just placed an order for the carto punch from Avid Vaper and I got trackng info already. Less than half an hour went by... that is SUPER fast! So excited!!! Thanks for the help!

 

[TheOnyxEgg]

Dremel and a cutting wheel.
Made a wooden jig to slot the cartos. Takes about 15 seconds for each one.

+1 for Dremel and cutting wheel. If you have to punch/slot your own cartos I think this method leaves the least chance of chewing up you're O-rings on the tank. Just be on the look out for sharp edges or burrs that are left over.

 

[sdcopp]

the other option is to get a saddle valve from the hardware store:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Watts-3-...n-Self-Tapping-Saddle-Valve-LFA-141/202850395

These work great and give you a little better leverage than a lot of the carto punch tools out there

 

[AceCC]

I use Smok single coil cartos exclusively. They just seem to have the best flavor and production. The punch I use was purchased from Phiniac and it works really well. I may have to try out that bullet punch though...looks interesting...

 

[Rickajho]

the other option is to get a saddle valve from the hardware store:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Watts-3-...n-Self-Tapping-Saddle-Valve-LFA-141/202850395

These work great and give you a little better leverage than a lot of the carto punch tools out there

^^^ That, because that's all most carto punch tools are anyway. And since they are designed for "only once" use - including the parts most carto punch tools are made of - you have to replace them after a certain amount of repeated use. Once it starts denting cartos and making "out of control" too big holes it's time to get another one.

 

[vjdossey]

My local shop didn't have it... maybe I'll check again and ask for it to be ordered and held for me... hmmm

the other option is to get a saddle valve from the hardware store:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Watts-3-...n-Self-Tapping-Saddle-Valve-LFA-141/202850395

These work great and give you a little better leverage than a lot of the carto punch tools out there

 

[vjdossey]

I am over the moon happy with the performance and flavor I am getting from these smok cartos... they are so much better than those darn slotted boges.., I swear I am so greatful my budget forced me to use my back ups stash, lol

I use Smok single coil cartos exclusively. They just seem to have the best flavor and production. The punch I use was purchased from Phiniac and it works really well. I may have to try out that bullet punch though...looks interesting...

 

[AceCC]

V2 Cartomizer Punch - Phiniac Rugged Pyrex Glass Tanks
Here is the punch tool I got from Phiniac. It looks like they are out of stock, but it is a good one.

BTW: the Smok cartos from IBTanked are my favorites. I hope they never ever stop selling them.

 

[vjdossey]

Lol, just asked in another post what you used to punch carts with... lol... thank you!

V2 Cartomizer Punch - Phiniac Rugged Pyrex Glass Tanks
Here is the punch tool I got from Phiniac. It looks like they are out of stock, but it is a good one.

BTW: the Smok cartos from IBTanked are my favorites. I hope they never ever stop selling them.

 

[N2rock]

I use this one: Smoktech DCT Cartomizer Punch

Does the job, and is cheap.